"Ravenhill Road" is a modern name and first appears in the Directory for 1890. In the 1887 Directory it appears as "Old Ballynafeigh Road," Up to the same time the southern portion of the Ormeau Road, from, the bridge was known as "The New Ballynafoy or Ballynafeigh Road." Before the Ormeau Bridge was built and Ormeau Road extended to Rosetta the old road was the only way for travellers from Belfast to Saintfield and Ballynahinch. When the designation, was changed from “Ballynafoy or Ballynafeigh Old Road" to Ravenhill Road the name was taken from "Ravenhill House", built as a residence for the trainer of his racing stud by the Marquis of Donegall. Ravenhill Presbyterian Church stands more or less on the site of Ravenhill House, where in bygone days the Marchioness of Donegall was a frequent visitor". (John J. Marshall, Belfast Telegraph, 10/02/1941). The name "Ravenhill" appears in Martin's Belfast Directory 1839.
At present, whilst this account of the origins of Raven Hill as a house is plausible, we do not currently have confirmation from other sources that the house was built for a horse trainer. Nor do we know for sure the identity of the Marquess' horse trainer. Henry Ralph Sneyd has been suggested as this person. One of the difficulties is that Raven Hill lies outside the old town, across the Lagan in Co. Down. The townlands of Ballymacarret and Ballynafoy are not covered by directories until the mid-19th century. The Marquess' racehorses were seized in 1800 by Isaac Bernal, a London moneylender to whom he was heavily indebted, according to W A Maguire (Living Like A Lord — The Second Marquis of Donegall, 1769-1844, p. 12). However, the Marquess acquired horses again, at the latest after raising a large sum of money through the sale of perpetuities on his land in 1822.
The 1st edition of the Ordnance Survey map (c. 1832) shows stables at Ormeau and a race course at Hay Park. The Marquess had substantial veterinary bills and expenses for forage at this time, which are unlikely to have been just for working horses (W. A. Maguire, Living Like A Lord, p.75; Belfast: The Making of the City, p. 34). All of these details suggest that he was keeping racehorses at Ormeau/Hay Park at this time. This is confirmed by Thomas Gaffikin:
"A racing stud was kept at Ormeau, producing an occasional winner at the annual meeting on the Maze course. The Maze races in July were looked forward to with considerable interest. For weeks previous to the meeting, preparations were made for the occasion. Streets of tents were erected for refreshments, and many spent the Sunday before and the Sunday after the racing week amongst the brackens that covered the rising ground behind the tents. Lord Downshire, the Marquis of Donegal, Messrs. Joyce, Martin, Maxwell, Filgate, Fivy, Ferguson, and Commodore Watson, were among the local supporters of the turf. One of the favourite jockeys was Conlan; but the principal races were ridden by gentlemen riders, when four mile heats prolonged the excitement" (Thomas Gaffikin, Belfast Fifty Years Ago, 30-31).
The house at Ravenhill is not recorded until 1829, when H R Sneyd resided there, although it may have existed earlier. It then appeared on the first edition Ordnance Survey map (IHTA xii, p. 36). If the Marquess had a horse-trainer, there was probably a need for secrecy so that the horses were not seized once again. If you have any information on the early history of Raven Hill (house), we would be very interested to hear from you.
It may seem odd that there is no noticeable hill at Ravenhill. This is due to the fact that the name has been imported from Staffordshire, where the Sneyd family came from. Col. Walter Sneyd M.P., heir to Keele Hall, leased Ravenhill from Assheton Curzon in 1787. Ravenhill House is near Brereton, just 10 miles from Fisherwick where the Chichester family had their estate at Fisherwick Hall. The Belfast house was named in memory of the old home in England, irrespective of its geographical location or the presence of ravens.
Builder James Rea (c.1847-1893) lived at Deramore Tower on Ravenhill Road. This was one of many large detached houses along the east side of Ravenhill Road in the late 19th and early 20th century.
"That Mr. W. J. Rea be informed in reply to his application of 3rd inst., that the Committee cannot approve of the names Ashfield Ave and Parkview Avenue being given to two new streets off Ravenhill Road, as they are not 50 feet wide". (10th July 1895).
"Resolved that the Council be recommended to change the name of the road hitherto known as Lagan Village Road to Ravenhill Road". (29th December 1886).
"That Mr John Malcolm be requested to submit other names in place of Wellington Gardens and Victoria Gardens for the two new streets off Ravenhill Road". (16th December 1896).